Author: Ed Ronco

Bob Poe is one of three declared Democratic candidates for Alaska governor. He sat down for an at-length interview with Raven News on Friday, Oct. 16. Raven News will bring you more interviews like this one, as candidates pass through Sitka.

Two candidates for governor were in Sitka over the Alaska Day weekend. Sitting Gov. Sean Parnell and Democratic contender Bob Poe both are hoping to win the state's top job in 2010. Raven News spoke with both about some Southeast Alaska issues.

Sitkans gathered to celebrate Alaska's transfer from Russia to U.S. control on Sunday (10-18-09). Here's an audio postcard.

Yakutat could be done with its pike problem. The state poisoned the ravenous invasive species out of some small lakes near the northern Southeast Alaska town. And the salmon that once lived there have started to return.

In the midst of celebrating the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States there is another celebration this year: the 50th year of Statehood. There are still many Alaskans who well remember the day when the first Alaska state flag was unfurled, right here in Sitka. There are even a few folks still around who helped craft the Alaska constitution. Former Alaska Senator Vic Fischer is one of those.

A delegation from Sitka traveled Oct. 12 through 14 to Dubuque, Iowa. They were meeting with University of Dubuque officials who have expressed interest in the Sheldon Jackson College campus. Both sides tell Raven News that the trip went well.

Sitka residents have been growing beards and putting on bonnets to help celebrate Alaska Day in style. Some went on stage to show off their facial hair and head coverings during the Alaska Day Festival Variety Show.Ed Schoenfeld spoke with a few of the competitors.Click on "more" to see additional photos.

Sitkans are celebrating the 132nd anniversary of the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States. Their Alaska Day Festival this week also recognizes the 50th anniversary of statehood. The event includes concerts, historic tours, dances and a reenactment of the transfer ceremony. One popular venue is a community variety show featuring barbershop harmonies, young winners of an Alaska-themed essay contest, and a sing-along. Here's excerpts including the Breakers and the Barbershop Belles, essays from Emma Bruhl and Cameron Mutchler and a sing-along in honor of longtime resident Alice Machesney.

On Tuesday (10-13-09), the Sitka Assembly voted against negotiating a new one-year lease for the Hames Athletic Center. The city’s current lease runs out on October 31 and without a new agreement the center might have to close. But as Ed Ronco reports, last night’s vote will not be the final word on Hames.

The village of Pelican has $100,000 in state disaster relief money to help rebuild a flume that collapsed in August. The collapse caused an immediate shortage of water and power to Pelican. A temporary solution is in place, but now officials are looking at another serious issue: the potential release of ammonia from the Pelican Seafoods plant.